New Agreement: EU Members to Develop Stricter Building Energy Efficiency Codes By Yearend

With all the cold and snows this winter, many balked at the notion that climate change is real, but there’s one thing that no one can deny- energy efficienct homes and businesses save owners money.

Image courtesy of Tipperary Energy Agency Ltd.

This idea is part of what prompted representatives of the European Parliament and Council to recently agree to “recast,” which is another way of saying amend the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive that originally went into effect 2007.

Right now, it’s estimated that “buildings are responsible for 40 percent of energy consumption and 36 percent of European Union CO2 emissions,” said Andris Piebalgs, newly appointed European Commissioner for Development of Global Health.

“It is estimated that by strengthening the provisions of the directive on energy performance, the EU could achieve a reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 70 percent of the current EU Kyoto target. These improvements could save citizens around 300€ per annum per household in their energy bills, while boosting the construction and building renovation industry in Europe, ” added Piebalgs.

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